Things to do in Zion National Park

It’s no secret that I love Zion National Park! It was my introduction to National Parks and the place where I fell in love with them.  

I have spent countless days and nights exploring its beauty and still desire to go back, even after several visits. Why? 

There are so many Things To Do in Zion National Park! 

 

Things to do in Zion National Park

I am not alone when it comes to wanting to visit Zion! It is one of the most popular parks in the entire national park system and offers numerous activities to park visitors. 

It was honestly hard to pick the top things to do in Zion NP but I eventually decided to write the article so that most of my readers would find the article useful. Here is my list of Things to do in Zion National Park. 

Zion Canyon Visitor Center and gift shop

Location: at the South Entrance of Zion National Park as you pass through Springdale, Utah

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is open every day of the year with extended hours from May through September.

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center makes a great first stop on your trip to Zion. 

You will walk past it if you take the shuttle from Springdale and enter the park through the walk-in entrance on your way to the Zion Canyon shuttle bus stop. 

Here you can look through plenty of gifts and merchandise at the park bookstore. There are plenty of park interpretative panels outside the visitor center that tell you about the park, park trails, shuttles, and more.

You can also find Park Rangers available to assist visitors at the Wilderness Desk which issues permits for backpacking, canyoneering,  and other trips into the wilderness. 

It is also the place to check the water flow of the Virgin River and the current day's risk for flash floods and/or any other updates. 

Zion Human History Museum 

The Zion Human History Museum is located at Bus Stop #2 along the Zion Canyon Line. There is limited parking at the Natural History Museum with parking stalls and a ramp in front of the museum for people with ADA Plackards. 

The Zion Human History Museum is closed seasonally but the park movie is available online. 

The Zion Human History Museum has several artifacts and archival materials from the permanent collections of Zion National Park. This is also the place to see the park film, We the Keepers. This is also a great place to catch a ranger-led patio talk.

Zion Nature Center 

The Zion Nature Center is typically open from late May through Early September. 

It is located just past the South Campground and can be accessed by the Pa'Rus Trail. 

The Zion Nature Center is an interactive children's museum so that they can have a place to learn about Zion, Geology, animals, flash floods, and even listen to bird songs and Canyon Tree Frog calls! 

Make sure to pick up your Junior Ranger booklet at either the Visitor Center, Human History Museum, or the Nature Center. Complete the booklet and become a Zion Junior Ranger! 

Ranger Led Programs

If you get a chance, make sure to take time and attend a Ranger Program while visiting Zion. Between April to November, Rangers work hard to connect park visitors with the park through informative interpretative programs throughout the day at several locations.

There are several patio talks at the Zion Natural History Museum, ride with a ranger on one of the park's shuttles (Reservations Required), an evening program at the Zion Lodge, and the amphitheater at the Watchman Campground.

This is your opportunity to learn about the park while kids get excited and want to explore more.

Go for a hike 

Zion is hands down, one of the best National parks to go hiking in! 

It is also home to several Epic and unforgettable Hiking trails that have made the American Southwest and the National Park Service true icons. 

Here are a few of the best trails in Zion National Park! 

Zion Narrows 

Location: Bus stop 9 (Temple of Sinawava) on the Zion Canyon Line

​The Zion Narrows hike is perhaps my favorite all-time hike in all of the National Park System! Having said this, it will most certainly also be one of the busiest trails in the park.

The trail starts as the Riverside Walk,  an easy 1-mile hike along the Virgin River. 

After the first mile, the fun begins as you start hiking upstream in the Virgin River. 

Up to 60% of this hike is in water and some may require swimming. The canyon walls eventually start getting closer together and they also get taller where at a point you only see a small sliver of sky above you as you are hiking through a river! 

This trip does require advance preparation and Highly recommend you read my article about hiking the Zion Narrows and checking with the park visitor center wilderness desk for flow rates and flash flood potential before heading out into the Narrows.

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Emerald  Pools Trail 

I personally think the Emerald Pools Trail is a must for any first-timer to Zion National Park! It is easy for most hikers and has breathtaking views along the way as you cross the Virgin River and a waterfall falling into the lower Emerald Pool if water is flowing.

I have personally hiked this trail multiple times and enjoy the hike every time. 

 

Angels Landing 

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Daredevil? Not afraid of sharp cliff drop-offs? 

If so, do I have a hike for you! Angels Landing climbs almost 1500 feet in elevation and gives you a bird's eye view of the Zion Canyon like no other. 

This hike starts off crossing the Virgin River then a gradual hike up eventually up to Refrigerator Canyon where you gladly invite the cooler temperature before starting the infamous 23 switchbacks referred to as Walters Wiggles. This takes you to Scout Lookout. From here it gets really intresting as you actually have chains to hold onto as you hike across a narrow fin rock out to Angels Landing. This stretch has long steep drop-offs that will make anyone with a fear of heights shiver in terror! 

Angels Landing is one of the most popular trails in Zion and now requires a permit to hike the trail.  Make sure to plan on applying for an Angels Landing permit beforehand if you plan on hiking this trail! 

Take your pet for a walk! 

Getting to take your pet for a walk on a trail in a National Park is a luxury in today's world as pets are typically prohibited from all trails. 

Zion has the Pa'Rus Trail which is the only multi-use trail in Zion. 

This means that you can take your pet (on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length) and bicycles on this paved trail. 

You can also bring a wheelchair on this trail but some areas may require assistance. 

The trail itself is 3.5 miles one-way between the Visitor Center (Bus Stop #1) and Canyon Junction (Bus Stop #3) and has beautiful scenery as you walk along the Virgin River. 

The best part is that both the Watchman Campground and the South Campground is next to the Pa'Rus Trail so you can easily take your pet with you for a hike when camping! 

Birdwatching 

Did you know that over 45 million Americans take part in bird-watching every year? It's no surprise that many of Zion's visitors will enjoy the fact that there have been 291 identified Birds in Zion National Park. You can find anything from a Western Kingbird, Black Chinned Hummingbird to California Condors flying in the Zion Canyon!  

Make sure to bring your binoculars and download and print off a Bird Checklist for Zion before heading out. The checklist has lots of great information including habitat, how abundant they are, and the best time of year to see certain species. 

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

The seven-mile, 45-minute one-way drive up the Zion Canyon Scenic Canyon has one spectacular view after another. Stops along the way include the Court of the Patriarchs, the Zion Lodge, The Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and the Temple of Sinewava, and gives you access to some of the classic hikes in Zion National Park. 

The canyon is closed to personal vehicles most of the year because there are simply not enough parking spaces for the 4 million annual park visitors who come to Zion. This requires a very well-designed and free shuttle bus system that takes in and out of the canyon. There is even a Ranger-led interpretative Talk on one of the Shuttles! 

Currently, Visitors can drive the canyon in the slow winter months but then again, I'm pretty sure this will also eventually end with the number of visitors now showing up in the winter months. The good news is that the Shuttle Bus system is extremely proficient in Zion and is easy to use. 

Explore East Zion 

You will need your vehicle to explore East Zion. This is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway between the Parks East Entrance and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cutoff. 

This is also the route to many of the other parks in the Southwest including Bryce Canyon and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel 

The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was completed in 1930 and was the longest of its type ever constructed at the time it was built. 

It was an important connection joining Zion to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. 

Standard-size passenger vehicles are allowed through the tunnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

As the park grew in popularity, so did the number of vehicle collisions in and near the tunnel. 

The Federal Highway Commission conducted a survey in 1989 and found that large vehicles could not drive through the tunnel without crossing the center line. 

This required the National Park Service to take action and create a permit system and staff the tunnel at both ends at certain times of the day making the tunnel one-way traffic only so that large vehicles could safely pass through the tunnel.

Now oversized vehicles, any vehicle that is 11'4" tall or taller and/or 7'10" wide or wider must obtain a  permit (from the entrance station) before proceeding to the tunnel and ensure they enter the tunnel only during the times the tunnel is regulated by park ranger staff to ensure a safe one-way passage through the tunnel. 

Prohibited in the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel

- Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall

- Semi-Trucks

- Vehicles carrying hazardous materials

- Vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds

- Single vehicles over 40 feet long

- Vehicles and trailers with a combined length of over 50 feet in length

- Bicyclists

- Pedestrians

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Checkerboard Mesa 

This iconic Navajo Sandstone rock formation towers 900 feet above the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway near the park's East Entrance. 

Its unusual crack pattern resembles a grid that you would see on a checkerboard, hence the name Checkerboard Mesa. 

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Bighorn Sheep 

The East Zion Area between the East Entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is known for having Bighorn Sheep and can oftentimes be seen on Checkerboard Mesa. This is a great photo spot to look for these sure-footed mammals as they escape predators like the mountain lion in these open spaces. This provides a great opportunity for those with a long telephoto lens and a high-resolution camera to get a great photo to take home and show off to their friends and family.

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Canyon Overlook Trail 

1 Mile Roundtrip Hike

The Canyon Overlook Trailhead is located just past the East entrance of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and has a limited number of parking spaces available in the parking lot. 

It can be a real pain to get a spot but it is a relatively short hike and I have always managed to wait for someone to get done hiking and pull out and get a space.    

Don't worry,  the wait is ABSOLUTELY worth the wait! This is a fun hike that ends with views of Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon. 

Go Camping 

Zion National Park has three campgrounds. The Watchman campground is the main park campground and the South Campground does not have any RV Hookup sites but both are by the park's visitor center at the South Entrance of the Park. The Lava Point Campground is located 45 minutes north of the town of Virgin,  Utah, and is not close to any of the park's main attractions. It is a small 6 campsite campground that is open seasonally typically between May through September depending on the weather conditions. 

Watchman Campground 

Zion's premier campground is open year-round with tent and RV campsites, a camp host, an amphitheater, restrooms, and all the features you would expect from a front country campground in a national park. The campground is located next to the visitor center and stop #1 on the Zion Canyon Line. You could also take the Springdale Line and go into town for dinner and leave your vehicle at the campsite and not have to worry about the traffic! 

South Campground

The South Campground is a typical front country campground in the National Park System. 

There are no RV hookups available but does have a trailer dump on your way out, restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits. 

Like the Watchman Campground, it is centrally located to the Zion Visitor Center, and stop #1 on the Zion Canyon Line and steps away from the Pa'Rus Trail and Watchman Trail. 

Park Ranger John Pro Tip: Skip the lines for visiting Zion in the day only and go camping! Camping is by far the easiest way to explore Zion. The Watchman and the South Campground are centrally located next to the visitor center and the shuttle bus which takes you into the Zion Canyon. This means that you simply wake up and get ready to explore Zion.

When you are ready just walk over to the visitor center and check on weather conditions and hop on a bus and you are off exploring! This is so much easier than fighting the 4 million visitors per year for a parking spot.

Many people end up parking in Springdale and taking the Zion Shuttle to the park entrance where you can wait in line for an hour plus just to get into the gate! Make sure to check my article on camping in Zion National Park. 

Explore Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is located in the northwest corner of Zion National Park 17 miles south of Cedar City Utah off Interstate 15 at exit #40. Kolob Canyons is much less visited than the main Zion Canyon portion of the park which is another 40 minutes to the South. 

Kolob Canyons has narrow parallel box canyons cut into the western edge of the Colorado Plateau creating beautiful panoramic landscapes and 2000-foot Navajo Sandstone cliff walls. You can drive the Scenic Drive, tour the visitor center, or go hiking on one of three trails spanning over 20 miles. 

Go Horseback Riding

You can go for a horseback ride between March and October with Canyon Rides. They have two different options to choose from, the first is a one-hour Virgin River Ride and the second is a three-hour Sand Bench Trail Ride that passes the Beehives, The Sentinel, and the Court of the Patriarchs.

I have hiked the Sand Bench Trail and loved it. The name sand bench is rather fitting for this trail as there are areas of deep soft sand and would have loved for someone else to be doing the hiking during the summer heat.

Check out the Fall Colors

Most visitors visit Zion between May through September. I love Zion in the fall! The colors start showing up in late September and can be found all over the park. The fall colors start first in the high country and are a fantastic time to explore trails like Cable Mountain.

Later in the year the trees along the river turn bright yellow and are a sight to see with the red rock in the background. If you happen to arrive a little early for fall colors at Zion try going north to Cedar Breaks National Monument. It’s a small version of Bryce Canyon with phenomenal sunsets and fall colors!

Ride a Bicycle 

Bicycling is permitted on all park roadways and the Pa’rus Trail. The Pa’rus Trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip and follows along the Virgin River.

You can also rent bicycles at the Zion Canyon Lodge between mid-March through October and come with a lock, helmet, safety lights, cargo basket, safety vest, and a bell.

 

Visit Springdale, Utah

The town of Springdale is just outside the park’s main entrance with most of the stores centered around tourism.

This shouldn’t be a surprise when Zion receives over four million annual visitors. 

You can expect to find hotel rooms, restaurants, showers, outfitters catering to the Zion Narrows, and various other stores selling all the typical touristy stuff.

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Have a Beer at the Zion Canyon Brewing Company

Just outside the South Entrance of Zion is the Zion Brewing Company. This brewpub is conveniently located so that tired and thirsty hikers can refuel after a full day of hiking and exploring Zion. I think one of the best perks is their breathtaking views of the red rocks at sunset!

It’s even close to the Watchman and South Campground so you don’t have to worry about having to drive home after a couple of well-deserved drinks. Head over to see more information on Beers inspired by the U.S. National Parks.

 

Canyoneering 

Canyoneering is one of the fastest-growing sports in America and Zion is one of the most popular places to go Canyoneering in Southern Utah! It combines hiking with swimming, rappelling, route finding, and problem-solving.  As fun as this sounds, Canyoneering is considered a team sport and should never be done alone. I would highly suggest hiring a guide, have the proper safety equipment and all the necessary wilderness permits from the park before taking on this adventure.  

Zion National Park Resources 

Zion National Park Guide- Your complete guide to exploring Zion National Park 

Zion Hikes- The ultimate hiking guide to plan your trip to Zion! Get Trail information, photos, and trail descriptions directly from a park ranger who has spent countless hours hiking this incredible park! 

Zion Shuttle Guide- Learn when the shuttles are running and how to use them to plan your trip to Zion

Zion Narrows planning guide- The ultimate guide to plan your hiking adventure to the Zion Narrows. Includes both day hikes and top-to-bottom overnight hikes. 

Emerald Pools Trail Guide- Plan your trip to one of Zion's most iconic trails! 

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

 

Zion Camping Resources

Zion National Park Camping Guide- Complete guide to camping in Zion National Park

Watchman Campground- Zion's main campground is located next to the visitor center and the park shuttle stop. The campground has 176 campsites, 95 electric hookups, and 7 group sites. 

South Campground- Centrally located next to the visitor center, the shuttle bus stop, the Parus Trail, and the Virgin River. The campground has 117 campsites and no  RV hookups. 

For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando

 

Where to stay when visiting Zion

Zion Lodge - Spend the night in the heart of the Zion Canyon giving you the easiest access to some of Zion's most popular trails! This review includes amenities, photos, and video of what it is like to stay in the lodge. 

Zion Cabins- The cabins are located next to the Zion Lodge in the heart of the Zion Canyon. The review includes photos, video, and a list of amenities. 

The majority of lodging outside of the park is located in Springdale or Virgin Utah. 

Under Canvas Zion - Sleep under the stars in a glamping tent. 

Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton  - 4-star hotel. Take advantage of a roundtrip airport shuttle, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton. With a private beach, this hotel is the perfect place to soak up some sun.  In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites - Consider a stay at Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites and take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour health club. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a 24-hour business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion - Consider a stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion Park/Springdale and take advantage of free continental breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a 24-hour business center.

Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion - Take advantage of free breakfast, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour gym at Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center and a snack bar/deli.

Holiday Inn Express Springdale - look forward to a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and shopping on site at Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Zion National Park Area, an IHG Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion - free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion National Park. Active travelers can enjoy bicycling at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a fireplace in the lobby.

 

Additional State Parks and Tribal Parks Near Zion National Park

Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)- an incredible park with great trails and jaw-dropping scenery between Las Vegas and Zion! 

Upper Antelope Canyon- The slot canyon that every photographer on the planet desires to photograph! 

Monument Valley- The most iconic scenery of the American Southwest and the location of countless Western movies.

Valley of the Gods- This is a park where you can spend as little as a couple hours and complete the 17-mile scenic drive and truly get an appreciation of the area. 

Goosenecks State Park (Utah)- amazing views of the San Juan River twisting and turning causing epic goosenecks in the canyon 1,000 feet below.

Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)- is best known for its goblin-like geologic features that can be easily seen. 

 

National Parks near Zion National Park

Pipe Springs National Monument- learn about the Mormon War! 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area- Explore all the recreational opportunities along Lake Mead and around Hoover Dam 

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument - If you are flying into Las Vegas on your way to Zion this is an easy park to visit on the way. 

Bryce Canyon National Park- No matter if you see Bryce in the summer or snow, at sunrise or the middle of the day, its breathtaking scenery and hoodoos will leave you inspired and awestruck! 

Cedar Breaks National Monument-  Another gift from nature, the mini Bryce Canyon with sunsets that will dazzle your imagination! They have pretty epic fall colors too

Grand Canyon National Park-  nicknamed "The Big Ditch" is something you just have to see to believe! Its wonders are hard to put into words,  photographs can only capture a small portion of its epicness! It truly is one of the seven wonders of the natural world! 

Capitol Reef National Park- The least visited of the 5 National Parks in Utah is what I call one of the top hidden Gems in the National Park System! It has epic scenic drives, epic hikes, jaw-dropping scenery, and much more! 

Arches National Park- A hikers and photographers paradise! Arches is home to over 2000 natural sandstone arches, many of which will blow your mind! 

Canyonlands National Park- Canyonlands is broken down into 3 sections, each filled with the charm and rugged beauty of the American Southwest. It's easy to see some of the highlights but its real charm come to those who plan and prepare to go deep into the wilderness. 

Check out these other great Utah National Parks, Nevada National Parks, Idaho National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Colorado National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, and Arizona National Parks.